Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The Water Mirror (Dark Relfections, Book 1) by Kai Meyer

Merle is an orphan in Venice in the 1800's. But her Venice is a much different Venice than we know. Of course there is the Doge's palace, the gondolas, the canals and such, but this Venice is also home to stone lions (some with wings) that prowl the city, mermaids with sharks' mouths that swim in the canals, and, of course, the Flowing Queen--a goddess of the mermaids and the source of the canals. Merle and her new found friend (who is blind) Junipa are apprenticed to Arcimboldo--the magic mirror maker. For both girls this apprenticeship means a new found freedom from their orphanage, it also means an end to Junipa's blindness as well (but at a stange cost). While apprenticed at Arcimboldo's shop Merle meets a master thief under the age of fifteen, a mermaid with legs, The Ancient Traiter (the last talking, winged lion), and the Flowing Queen herself! Among many others.

I thouroughly enjoyed The Water Mirror. For the most part it was interesting and had wonderfully crafted world with many inventive creatures, who wouldn't want to ride on the back of a huge, winged, obsidian lion? But although I enjoyed it, the book was strangely put togeteher--some things needed to be explained (although I suppose the author was trying to leave loose ends for the rest of the books in the trilogy to pick up). From what I've heard of the next book in the trilogy, The Stone Light, I'm not sure I want to read it. But The Water Mirror is definitely worth reading if you love well-woven fantasy--which I do.

You're back! YAY! *throws confetti in the air*. This book sounds interesting. I will probably give into the horrible urge to buy it. (I have already purchased more than ten books since school let out.)

Maddee: yes! Buy it, or rent it from the library (that's what I did because you guessed it, I'm broke). It's a fabulous book! There were things I didn't like about it but overall it's definitely worth the read!

About Me

My favorite thing in the world is to read a book. I also enjoy writing, graphic design, and all media and forms of art. I'm also addicted to starbucks coffee (well, who isn't) and have my heart set on traveling the world.